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September 4, 2022

Almanac of Story Tellers: Freddie Mecury

Every day brings a new story.  And each day contributes to story telling -- in prose and in poetry, in art and in music, on the stage, on the screen, and, of course, in books

Today is the story of  September 5th
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    It is the 248th day of the year, leaving 117 days remaining in 2022.
 
  On this date in 1946, the singer Freddie Mercury was born.


    He told his stories on a music stage, fronting the band Queen, as perhaps the greatest singer who ever lived. He was a flamboyant  performer, strutting in elaborate costumes and showing off his majestic singing voice, which could range from a low bass to a high soprano. 

    A biographer, David Bret, described his voice as "escalating within a few bars from a deep, throaty rock-growl to a tender, vibrant tenor, then on to a high-pitched perfect coloratura, pure and crystalline in the upper reaches."

    He could sing his songs in any genre, ranging from gospel to heavy metal, from rockabilly to disco.

    Science has described Mercury as having the most perfect voice for a singer.

    Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in Stone Town, Zanzibar, in what it now Tanzania. When he was 18, he left with his parents for England. A natural musician, his soon joined the band Smile, which included the guitarist Brian May. When Smile's lead singer left, Mercury took over, changing the band's name to Queen and his own to Freddie Mercury.

    He also became the band's lead songwriter, penning tunes such as Bohemian Rhapsody, We are the Champions, Don't Stop Me Now, and Somebody to Love. Coupled with Mercury's voice and stage presence, the group became a live act that rated among the best in the world.

    Mercury's performance at Live Aid in 1985 had been ranked as perhaps the greatest single act in the history of live music.

    He died of complications from AIDS in 1991.

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